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Activists vowed to launch a crowdfunder to cover any losses that could be incurred from breaking non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) if the billionaire threatened action and said that they were holding discussions with lawyers about providing pro bono legal advice.

It comes after the Topshop owner was named in Parliament as the businessman who had used gagging contracts and payments to silence staff who accused him of wrongdoing before taking out an injunction to prevent this newspaper printing details of the claims.

Scarlett Curtis, the writer and feminist activist, said that she was taking advice on starting a crowdfunder for legal expenses which will be launched in the event that Sir Philip threatens to take actions against any former employees.

She said: “It is incredibly scary to fight back against people with a huge amount of money and we promise to be here entirely to support anyone who takes this risk.”

It is feared that despite the public outcry some people who have signed NDAs in sexual harassment and bullying cases may be too afraid to break them for fear of losing the settlement payouts.

Ms Curtis was backed by Labour MP Jess Phillips, who sits on the Women and Equalities Committee and has called for a crackdown on the use of NDAs.

Ms Phillips said: “I understand how daunting this is to take on a big power and lots of money but the sisterhood will get together and I have absolutely no doubt Scarlett and I will be able to get full backing to be able to make sure that people aren’t frightened of money.

“If people are frightened of power and wealth we have to show we can raise the money and we can take the power.

“The public is behind the victims in this case. We will set up crowdfunders we will get legal support and we will make sure that anyone who is brave enough to speak up is protected.”